Influence of autonomic denervation upon the kinetics of the ileal epithelium of the rat.

The effect of autonomic denervation upon the kinetics of the ileal epithelium of rats was studied by tracing 3H-thymidine labelled nuclei and counting mitotic figures and goblet cells. Counts of labelled nuclei and goblet cells provided information about cell migration along the intestinal epithelium. The mitotic index and turnover time of this population were calculated from the mitotic figures counts. Comparing denervated animals with sham operated controls, it was possible to conclude that autonomic denervation, either sympathectomy or parasympathectomy results in a decrease in mitotic activity. As a result of lower mitotic activity in the crypts, the turnover time increases and there is a delay in the migration of cells from the crypts towards the villi. Sympathectomy causes an early short-lived effect upon the kinetics of the crypt cell population, since after 27h there is a tendency to normality. Parasympathectomy produces a slower but continuous decline in mitotic activity.